We wake to what sounds like a irritatingly loud wood chipper before 9am. Luckily the skies are blue and the sun is shining so it doesn’t dampen the start to our day too much.

After bacon, pancakes and maple syrup we get dressed and greet the day. I have a slight meltdown when I discover I’ve left the packing cube with most of my tops in, at home…..

Once outside everything looks very different from yesterday in the winter sunshine. The level of water in the lake looks like it’s reduced too. We decide to do a circular walk around and through Bala.

The start runs along a paved dyke next to the River Dee past multiple weir’s and various sluice’s and flood defences. The river is very high but hasn’t spilled over. The defences were all renewed and updated in 2023. We are excited to see a large grey heron standing to attention in the weir.

We leave the river and land  basically at the top end of Bala high street. We spot a church and graveyard behind the high street and decide to visit. Christ Church is locked but in the graveyard we bump into the very friendly church warden who invites us in for a look around inside. It’s a beautiful space blending original and modern with a gorgeous timbered ceiling.

Another wander down the rather traditional high street with some rather niche shops such as a violin repairer. Unusually there’s only one charity shop where I have to dig deep to find two tops to supplement my now paltry wardrobe!

Back on the lake we walk to the leisure centre and it’s cafe. A cuppa outside in the sunshine is just what we needed.

Back to the van late afternoon for a bit of lunch and some r&r.

After showers in the rather swish, lovely warm and modern facilities we enjoy Chicken Kiev a la Aldi again before wrapping up and wandering back into Bala.

We try the pubs that were empty of people yesterday as well as another pint in The Goat. It’s still quiet but a bit busier.

Back at the van we watch telly in bed for a bit before lights out.

A good 18k+ steps day spent wandering Bala in the winter sunshine.

26:11:24